NASCAR At The Meadowlands? - Gov. Christie in action!

[mightyace]

New Jersey's Christie is at it again!

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/1-23-10/nascar-meadowlands.html

The report's Executive Summary on the NJSEA and horse racing at the Meadowlands is as follows:

    As budgeted for 2010, horseracing on track is projected to lose $22 million; the business model is broken. The agreements with the various Horsemen Associations will ensure continued losses; during 2010 these agreements need to be reopened and renegotiated. It is time to review options for racing in New Jersey. THE STATUS QUO IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. We encourage consideration of all the options to make horseracing self-sustaining, including consolidation of racing state-wide.

    The ultimate goal is to continue to have live racing at a venue where the Sports Authority and its OTW system can operate without a subsidy. (NJSEA budgeted total deficit for 2010 is $38 million). Another option to be considered is a feasibility study for the commercial redevelopment of the Meadowlands, including examining other potential uses such as NASCAR.

[FLRoads]

Actually the idea of having a NASCAR event at the Meadowlands has been kicked around for quite some time now. I am sure if it happens it will be a few years down the road...

I also guess it would be cool to have a NASCAR venue at the Meadowlands, that is as long as Jimmy Johnson doesn't win any races there!!! LOL

No more championships for him!!!!

[mightyace]

Actually the idea of having a NASCAR event at the Meadowlands has been kicked around for quite some time now. I am sure if it happens it will be a few years down the road...

Yes, and other places as well.  NASCAR's sister corporation, International Speedway Corporation that owns the majority of the tracks on the schedule had acquired land on Staten Island to build a 3/4 mile track similar to the one in Richmond, VA.

IIRC Two main things killed it.
1) ISC wanted concessions (tax breaks, etc.) that New York was unwilling to give.
2) The NIMBYs were concerned about gridlock getting on and off Staten Island on a race weekend.

[Scott5114]

I'm sure gridlock wasn't the only thing NIMBYs were worried about (you know how loud those tracks are?)!

[mightyace]

^^^

You are right about that, too.  And, IIRC the NIMBYs mentioned about every possible negative about a racetrack.

[rawmustard]

I'm sure gridlock wasn't the only thing NIMBYs were worried about (you know how loud those tracks are?)!

You only hear most of the noise if you're close to the cars running full-throttle. IIRC, the Staten Island site would've been far enough away from any residential areas to not to be a major nuisance.

As for the Medowlands, it wouldn't be a bad place at all. NASCAR definitely wants to get a track in the New York market, and this location would likely work a whole lot better than Staten Island. Right now, the closest they get is Pocono, a track strongly disfavored by both competitors and fans despite its unique layout.

[Nexis4Jersey]

Put the Track somewhere else in the state , that area is becoming to congested , whether its the Rail or Highway networks.  Put it in Central Jersey or South Jersey or Near Newark , there are areas near Newark who would want that.

[Alps]

My impression of NASCAR in the north is that it doesn't draw the 150,000 spectators per game necessarily that it might in the south.  Given that the Meadowlands infrastructure is in place for 80K at a Giants/Jets game, I would think it could support NASCAR as well.

[Nexis4Jersey]

but still where are they going to put it?  And yes , i made an error the infrastructure has been and is being upgraded, becuz NJT just added a spur line and New Trackage to the Main/Bergen & Pascack Lines , but still Route 17 and 3 can't really handle that much more, even when NJT extends the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to the Meadowlands , how many people are going to take that to a Nascar event?  I do know a few Nascar fans , but i think this would be a great location as opposed to South Jersey , where i know theres a larger fan base.

[mightyace]

First, if I read the article correctly, the auto race track would replace the horse race track.

The quest for a track in the NYC market is more about what NASCAR wants and its image.

NASCAR and ISC have pushed hard with their track in Fontana, CA which is kinda/sorta in the LA area.  Attendance and racing quality have been below par.  If the track was in traditional NASCAR areas like the Southeast it would lose at least one of its races if not two.  But, since LA is the number 2 market behind New York they keep pushing it.

If capacity of the proposed track is around the 80,000 mark, I don't see much of a traffic issue.

Pocono gets 60-80,000 fans and the main access is 2 lane PA 115 (which they turn into three lanes) into the track from 4 lane I-80.  And they do just fine.  I'm pretty sure the Meadowlands has better capacity than that.

[Nexis4Jersey]

Even if we add more lanes , which we really can't since its protected land , it wouldn't help.  I rather see a Indy 500 type racetrack , which would attract more people.  NJT had alot of trouble building that last extension due to the fact it was over protected land.

[ctsignguy]

I thought they ALREADY had NASCAR in the Meadowlands.....

...of course, most other people call it the New Jersey Turnpike...

[Roadgeek Adam]

There is a racetrack in Millville well-used

[mightyace]

Remember folks, that if NASCAR ever would come to the Meadowlands there would be one or two race weekends per year.  And, there might be a third if the IRL would come to the track as well.  I think the existing infrastructure can cope.  Heck, an 80,000 seat track is only about 20,000 more than Giants Stadium.  If you can handle the NFL crowds at the Meadowlands, you can handle the NASCAR crowd.

@Nexis4Jersey - many race tracks these days host both NASCAR and IRL (Indy type) races.  And, remember, even hallowed Indianapolis Motor Speedway now has a NASCAR race!

[Nexis4Jersey]

But the Indy Type , would attract more Urban New Jerseyite's & New Yorkers , Nascar wouldn't do that

[mightyace]

But the Indy Type , would attract more Urban New Jerseyite's & New Yorkers , Nascar wouldn't do that

You'd know that better than I would.

What I do know is that the NASCAR races at Loudon, NH sell out and that the races in Dover, DE and nearby Pocono draw very well.

In any case, my main point is that this proposed race track can hold both types of events.

[signalman]

I agree, Mightyace.  The proposed track could hold both NASCAR and Indy car races.  I personally would like to see it and would attend races there.  I go to one of the Pocono races every summer and have been to Dover, DE and Watkins Glen, NY. 

Nexis4Jersey may be right that the Indy races might draw a bigger crowd than the NASCAR ones.  But the place would be far from empty at NASCAR events.  There's plenty of folks from NY and Jersey at Pocono races and in Dover.

[Roadgeek Adam]

Meadowlands are overrated.

[mightyace]

Nexis4Jersey may be right that the Indy races might draw a bigger crowd than the NASCAR ones.  But the place would be far from empty at NASCAR events.  There's plenty of folks from NY and Jersey at Pocono races and in Dover.

And, if such a track would become a reality, Pocono would be a prime candidate to lose one of its two races.

[ctsignguy]

I dont think the drivers would mind much....Pocono's track is highly disliked because races there are rather boring....either they lose a race, or the races they do hold get cut down to 300 miles to lend that air of urgency that the Nationwide series has with their shorter races....

[mightyace]

I dont think the drivers would mind much....Pocono's track is highly disliked because races there are rather boring....either they lose a race, or the races they do hold get cut down to 300 miles to lend that air of urgency that the Nationwide series has with their shorter races....

Mostly true.

But, I think that it should remain on the schedule for one race, anyway, due to its unique layout.  Of course, I am biased by the fact that the track is less than an hour away from where I grew up.

[Roadgeek Adam]

Well in theory, Pocono does get packed when races show up, which I think is part of it. I do wish NASCAR would consider returning to North Wilkesboro NC. They are getting races this year, but it worries me